We have always read stories of hope, faith, courage, the indomitable human spirit, the impossible urge to live. But how much have we read about the science and beliefs that keep doctors going?Sheela Devi’s journey is one of such, in her ICU at her PGI in Chandigarh. She battled doctors for 30 days and left the neurological ward with her.
the day of the accident
It was a normal working day for 40-year-old Sheila, a bus attendant at the all-girls Carmel Convent School in Sector 9, Chandigarh. Early in the morning of July 8, around 4am to be exact, a single mother with two of her teenage children finished housework and boarded the school bus at 6am. Sheila, who has worked in Carmel for the past eight years, was on her way to the school auditorium when she saw a 250-year-old People tree on campus collapse under its own weight, trapping students eating lunch under it. I saw. shade. Hearing her anguished cries, Sheila saw the trapped girls in a ditch when a stray branch of her 70-foot tree fell on her and she suffered a severe head injury. I rushed to help. Eighteen children were seriously injured and one died in tragedy.
trauma management
Sheila was rushed to PGI’s Advanced Trauma Center on July 8 in critical condition, with multiple serious injuries including spine and sensory impairment with fractures. She was immediately intubated and her airway cleared. She was transferred to her trauma ICU and underwent radiographic imaging of her head and spine. Imaging showed her left epidural hemorrhage with cerebral edema, multiple facio-maxillary fractures, and a cuneiform compression fracture in the spinal region. She underwent a ventilator and tracheostomy on her July 12th. She gradually improved her senses and on day 18 she was weaned off the ventilator on July 26.
Sheila was then transferred to the neurological ward for further management, responded well to all therapeutic interventions, was hemodynamically stable, and was discharged on August 8 after a month of hospitalization on PGI. Professor Kajal Jain, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit, core team includes Dr. Aastha Takkar, Department of Neurology, Dr. Apinder Preet Singh, Department of Neurosurgery, Dr. Ranjana Singh, Dr. Raman Sharma, Department of Hospital Administration, and Senior Residents, Nursing Staff and Attendants made up a team. The person who treated Sheila. “Honestly, our efforts are always life-saving, but you never know what will click. Sheela got to the hospital early and was proud that PGI had a robust trauma system.” I think,” she says Professor Jain.
“You have to adapt to the situation. Teamwork is the key.”
Trauma kills young and old alike, so there is a need for medical organizations that offer structured programs that serve the Indian situation rather than follow Western programs. The Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) program is the only program in the country that creates a team that understands the nuances of accidents and emergencies in the triage area.
“Regular mock drills, tests, and simulation scenes in the event of a natural disaster or accident have trained the elderly residents and emergency teams to act quickly. Logistics and systems are in place. , the resident has fully completed the procedure and does not need to be told by anyone what to do, from rushing to the appropriate team when an ambulance arrives with the patient to the entire treatment. It was a seamless flow of procedures and we feel it helped Sheila get the best and quickest treatment,” recalls Professor Jain. His first ten minutes post-trauma – Platinum His Ten – add that Professor Jayne is essential and life-saving before the Golden Hour.
Professor Jain said Sheila’s recovery was possible because doctors and medical professionals from different departments worked closely together to handle each aspect of her treatment. “We were all very touched. Seeing her children crying in the hallway was very emotionally painful. There were 11 other patients in the ICU at the time who were seriously injured. Yes, we had a hard time, but Sheila was young, had no comorbidities, and had a strong support system. It was great to be able to walk on my own,” says Professor Jain with satisfaction.
On August 8th, Sheila got a big send-off home from PGI. This brave woman received a big round of applause from the students and staff at Carmel Her Convent Her School, her two children, her family and friends, and her PGI team in charge of her. . miraculous revival. Her PGI medical director, Professor Vipin Koushal, recalls that Sheela’s daughter had complete trust in the Almighty and her PGI team. “Every time we met, my mother would tell me to open my eyes, and I was able to do this thanks to the wonderful teamwork of the doctors, nurses, and her supporters in each department. Our director, neurologist Professor Vivek Lal, was personally involved in each aspect of the case,” said Professor Koushal. As the only income-earning member of her family, Covid has taken a further toll on Sheela’s financial health and financial and emotional support from various sectors of society, including the Chandigarh administration and school staff, has been detrimental to Sheela. was poured into
“The PGI team gave me a second life”
Sheila is now home and taking care of her children. She also hopes that she will make a full recovery in eight to nine months and that she will return to school once her follow-up treatment at PGI is complete. “There have been countless moments of fear and anxiety about the unknown, hopelessness and hopelessness during this past month full of struggle and hardship. Thank you for helping me win and get out of this near death situation.I am touched by your care, your care.Indeed, to the PGI team for giving me this second life. Words cannot express how grateful I am,” says Sheela.
Life comes full circle for Sheila, who was awarded a certificate of commendation for her bravery by the Chandigarh government on Independence Day, and her children describe her as their strength and pride.
